A volume of 11.19 lakh kg will be on offer for the tenth sale Coonoor Tea Trade Association (CTTA) scheduled tomorrow and Friday, reveals an analysis of the listing by brokers.

This is 2.47 lakh kg more than last week's offer but as much as 4.52 lakh kg less than the offer this time last year.

Of the 11.19 lakh kg on offer, 7.78 lakh kg belongs to the leaf grades and 3.41 lakh kg belongs to the dust grades. As much as 10.45 lakh kg belongs to CTC variety and only 0.74 lakh kg, orthodox variety.

The proportion of orthodox teas continues to be low in both the leaf and dust grades. In the leaf counter, only 0.40 lakh kg belongs to orthodox while 7.38 lakh kg, CTC. Among the dusts, only 0.34 lakh kg belongs to orthodox while 3.07 lakh kg, CTC.

Fresh tea

In the 11.19 lakh kg, fresh tea accounts for 10.13 lakh kg and 1.06 lakh kg comprises teas remaining unsold in previous auctions.

Nearly a quarter of the offer had been remaining unsold in the recent weeks.

Inadequate demand has been lowering prices and the volume sold so far this year. This week, export purchases were the weakest so far in 2011. Much dependence is on internal buying.

Published on March 9, 2011